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Song Notes and Samples
1. She Grabbed My Coconuts
Words and music by Barry Bookbinder and Elliot Solomon
Produced by Elliot Solomon
Recorded circa 1986
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Listen:
lo-fi (dial-up), hi-fi (broadband)
This is what happens when two idiots whose maturity level never
progressed past junior high school try to write double entendre. The song’s
claim to fame is that it was featured on Dr. Demento’s Basement Tapes, Vol. 1.
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2. Inner Thoughts
Words and music by Barry Bookbinder
Produced by Martin Blasick
Recorded in 2000
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Listen:
lo-fi , hi-fi
I saw Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots singing into his
microphone through a megaphone, and inspiration struck. The song’s claim to
fame is that it was featured on Dr. Demento’s Basement Tapes, Vol. 9.
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3. The Knuckle Song
Words by Barry Bookbinder
Produced by Martin Blasick
Recorded in 1997
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Listen:
lo-fi , hi-fi
I had this idea floating around in my head for a long time, but was
scared to commit to it because I knew it would cause a minus sign to appear
in front of my checking account balance. Holy Moly, was I right; I’m still
paying for this piece of shit. The song’s claim to fame is that it was
featured on Dr. Demento’s Basement Tapes, Vol. 6.
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4. 2 Hot 4 U, Part II
Words and music by Barry Bookbinder, Elliot Solomon, and Peter Gardner
Produced by Elliot Solomon
Recorded in 1986
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Listen:
lo-fi , hi-fi
This song was inspired by a couple of teenage girls who insulted my best
friend Stretchamundo (a.k.a. Pete). It’s called “Part II” because we
initially planned to write a trilogy, but we’re so stupid, we recorded two
Part IIIs and no Part I . (See “How Wuz I 2 Know?” below). The song's dual claim to fame is that
it was featured on the compilation recording called, “Worse Than Slime” issued by Beat
Brothers Records, and the 9/11 comedy benefit CD,
Laughter Is A Powerful Weapon.
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5. 18 Wheels Later
Words and music by Barry Bookbinder
Produced by Elliot Solomon
Recorded circa 1991
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I was inspired to write this tune after seeing the country song title,
“18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses.” How I got from that romantic sentiment to
vehicular manslaughter is unknown even to me. But check out the killer
fiddle and drums by studio studs Richard Greene and Tony Braunagel. The
song’s claim to fame is that it was featured on Dr. Demento’s Basement
Tapes, Vol. 2.
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6. Fart In An Elevator
Music by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry
Produced by Elliot Solomon
Recorded in 1998
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For many years, this was the only parody song ever performed by Barry & the Bookbinders. However, in 2003, we sent Dr. Demento a second parody tune, "50 Ways To Dump Your Lover." It sprinted into obscurity faster than a cheetah on coke. In any event, the vocalist on "Fart In An Elevator" who nails Steven Tyler to a “T” is Jay Baysinger of the Aerosmith tribute band “Rocks.” The song’s claim to fame is that it was featured on Dr. Demento’s Basement Tapes, Vol. 7. |
7. You Have 257 Messages
Words and music by Barry Bookbinder and Ron Rogers
Produced by Martin Blasick
Recorded in 1999
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This tune was inspired by actual phone messages left on the answering
machine of my drummer, Chocolate Pole (a.k.a. Ron). And they lived happily
ever after . . . NOT!
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8. (I’ve Fallen In Love With My) Right Hand
Words and music by Barry Bookbinder and Elliot Solomon
Produced by Martin Blasick
Recorded in 2002
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The first song ever sent by Barry & the Bookbinders to Dr. Demento. We
originally recorded it in 1982 with yours truly on vocals, then again in
approximately 1986 with a different singer. The 1982 version semi-sucked,
and the 1986 vocalist’s performance was “gahbidge,” so I’ve re-recorded it
for this collection.
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9. How Wuz I 2 Know?
Words by Barry Bookbinder and Elliot Solomon
Music by Barry Bookbinder, Elliot Solomon, and Darren Solomon
Produced by Elliot Solomon
Recorded circa 1988
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I think of this song as the true follow-up to “2 Hot 4 U, Pt. II.” We
previously recorded another follow-up to “2 Hot 4 U, Pt. II” called “The
Last Laugh,” but it was awful and instantly cartwheeled into obscurity. “How
Wuz I 2 Know?” nearly caused me to flunk out of law school, as it
relentlessly came pouring out of me while I was trying to study for finals.
The song’s claim to fame is that it was featured on the compilation
recording called, “Worse Than Slime” issued by Beat Brothers Records.
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10. Learn How To Drive!
Words by Barry Bookbinder, David Gillen, and Elliot Solomon
Music by Barry Bookbinder and Elliot Solomon
Produced by Elliot Solomon
Recorded circa 1987
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Mix three lunatics with a newfangled contraption called a sampling
keyboard, add a generous helping of driving in Los Angeles, and this is what you get.
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11. This Song . . .
Words by Barry Bookbinder, music by Elliot Solomon
Produced by Elliot Solomon
Recorded in 1986
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The funniest thing about “This Song . . .” is that, despite its length,
it took as long to record as most of my other songs. Note: I did not find
this fact funny in 1986 when we recorded it, for my wallet ended up being
lighter than a hydrogen atom.
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12. Hairy Sheri
Words by Barry Bookbinder, music by Barry Bookbinder and Ari Lauer
Produced by Martin Blasick
Recorded in 1996
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“Hairy Sheri” was inspired by a woman I saw walking on the beach who had
tundra protruding from her underarms and a “treasure trail” extending from
her bellybutton downwards. The song is proof that karma exists; it wasn’t
autobiographical when I wrote it, but I later ended up dating someone who
wouldn’t let a razor anywhere near her tropical rainforest pits.
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13. Good Things Come In Small Packages
Words and music by Barry Bookbinder and Ari Lauer
Produced by Martin Blasick
Recorded in 1995
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A ballad which showcases my balloon-playing expertise. Is it
autobiographical? Only my tighty whities know for sure.
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14. I Can’t Sing
Words by Barry Bookbinder and John Everett Knowles, Jr., music by Barry
Bookbinder
Produced by Elliot Solomon
Recorded in 1985
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The first Barry & the Bookbinders song played on the Dr. Demento Show. My
friend The Hairy Monster (a.k.a. John) and I wrote it after he tried to sing
karaoke, and failed spectacularly.
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15. Chocolate Anaconda
Words by Barry Bookbinder, music by Barry Bookbinder and Martin Blasick
Produced by Martin Blasick
Recorded in 2002
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Many people told me I should put a new song on this compilation to create
extra interest. Voila!
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